Bodies in Our Jurisdiction

The Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019 lists the types of organisations about which we can consider complaints. The list below is based on Schedule 3 of the Act. However, this list can change over time. For example, new bodies may be created, others may be abolished, and restructuring of a sector of the public service can bring about changes in names and functions.

If you are unsure whether or not a body is under our jurisdiction, please contact us.

Government of Wales

• The Welsh Government

• The Senedd Commission

Local government, fire and police

• A local authority in Wales

• A joint board the constituent authorities of which are all local authorities in Wales

• A fire and rescue authority in Wales constituted by a scheme under section 2 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c.21) or a scheme to which section 4 of that Act applies

• A police and crime commissioner for a police area in Wales

• A strategic planning panel

Environment

• The Committee on Climate Change

• A National Park authority for a National Park in Wales

• The Natural Resources Body for Wales

• The Environment Agency

• The Forestry Commissioners

• The Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee

Health and Social Care

• Social Care Wales

• The Board of Community Health Councils in Wales

• A Local Health Board

• An NHS trust managing a hospital or other establishment or facility in Wales

• A Special Health Authority not discharging functions only or mainly in England

• A Community Health Council

• An independent provider in Wales

• A family health service provider in Wales

• A person with functions conferred by regulations made under section 113(2) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c.43)

• The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee

Housing

• A social landlord in Wales

Education and training

• The Office of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales or Prif Arolygydd Ei Mawrhydi dros Addysg a Hyfforddiant yng Nghymru (Estyn)

• The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

• An admission appeal panel constituted in accordance with regulations under section 94(5) or 95(3) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c.31)

• The governing body of any community, foundation or voluntary school so far as acting in connection with the admission of pupils to the school or otherwise discharging any of their functions under Chapter 1 of Part 3 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c.31)

• An exclusion appeal panel constituted in accordance with regulations under section 52 of the Education Act 2002 (c.32)

• Qualifications Wales

Arts and leisure

• The Arts Council of Wales.

• The Sports Council for Wales

Taxation

• The Welsh Revenue Authority

Miscellaneous

• The Building Regulations Advisory Committee for Wales

• Coity Walia Board for Conservators

• Comisiynydd y Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Commissioner)

• Harbour authorities in Wales (and “harbour authority” has the meaning given in section 313(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c.21)) and port authorities in Wales (and “port authority” means a harbour authority or, if there is no such authority, the person having control of the operation of the port)—

  (a) used or required wholly or mainly for the fishing industry, for recreation, or for communication between places in Wales (or for two or more of those purposes);

  (b)so far as acting in connection with protecting human, animal or plant health, animal welfare or the environment

• The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales

• Towyn Trewan Board for Conservators